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United States Patent |
5,038,940
|
Okabe
|
August 13, 1991
|
Collective packing box separable
Abstract
A collective packing box according to the present invention is separable
into individual packing boxes in which individual goods are respectively
accommodated. The collective packing box includes a group of tubular unit
packing box bodies in combination with a cover. Each of the tubular unit
packing box bodies has a plurality of sides defining two opposite parallel
outer surfaces. The cover includes a plurality of demarcating sections
which are separable from one another. Each of the demarcating sections
defines a connecting portion at the center thereof, covering portions
disposed on opposite sides of the connecting portion, and marginal
portions disposed to the outside of the covering portions. The connecting
portions are fixed to the group of tubular unit packing box bodies over
one of the two opposite parallel outer surfaces. One of the covering
portions is folded over respective one ends of the tubular unit packing
box bodies and a marginal portion associated therewith is adhered over the
other of the two opposite parallel outer surfaces. Once goods are
accommodated within the group of tubular unit packing box bodies, the
other connecting portions are disposed over the respective other ends of
the tubular unit packing box bodies and the marginal portions associated
therewith are also adhered over the other of the two opposite parallel
outer surfaces. In this way, when the demarcating sections of the cover
are separated, a plurality of individual boxes are formed in which the
goods are accommodated.
Inventors:
|
Okabe; Masaaki (Aichi, JP)
|
Assignee:
|
Okabe Engineering Kabushiki Kaisha (Nagoya, JP)
|
Appl. No.:
|
505370 |
Filed:
|
April 6, 1990 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
| Apr 08, 1989[JP] | 1-41297[U] |
| May 17, 1989[JP] | 1-23478 |
Current U.S. Class: |
229/120.011; 229/120.37 |
Intern'l Class: |
B65D 005/54 |
Field of Search: |
220/23.4
206/602
229/120.37
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
1723021 | Aug., 1929 | Fagan | 206/602.
|
2205437 | Jun., 1940 | Ringler | 206/602.
|
3252646 | May., 1966 | Rockefeller | 206/602.
|
4040558 | Aug., 1977 | Bamburg et al. | 229/120.
|
4101034 | Jul., 1978 | Yamaguchi | 206/602.
|
4263769 | Apr., 1981 | Hanazawa et al. | 206/602.
|
4742917 | May., 1988 | Bornwasser et al. | 206/602.
|
Foreign Patent Documents |
752178 | Dec., 1970 | BE | 220/23.
|
2623832 | Dec., 1977 | DE | 206/602.
|
2908520 | Sep., 1980 | DE | 206/602.
|
610682 | Oct., 1960 | IT | 206/602.
|
62-95525 | Jun., 1987 | JP.
| |
62-139926 | Sep., 1987 | JP.
| |
63-166920 | Oct., 1988 | JP.
| |
382645 | Sep., 1964 | CH | 206/602.
|
Primary Examiner: Elkins; Gary E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A collective packing box comprising:
a group of tubular unit packing box bodies each having a plurality of sides
defining two opposite parallel outer surfaces, and each of the tubular
unit packing box bodies having an opening at one end thereof and an
opening at the other end thereof;
a base sheet adhered to each of said two parallel outer surfaces of the
tubular packing box bodies and having separating means for facilitating
separation of the base sheet disposed over each of said two parallel outer
surfaces into a plurality of sections;
a cover comprising a plurality of demarcating sections corresponding to the
number of the tubular packing box bodies in said group, and separating
means provided between adjacent ones of said demarcating sections for
facilitating separation of said demarcating sections from one another,
each of said demarcating sections defining a connecting portion at the
center thereof, a bottom covering portion provided to one side of the
connecting portion, a marginal portion disposed to the side of the bottom
covering portion opposite said connecting portion, a top covering portion
provided to the other side of the connecting portion, and a marginal
portion disposed to the side of the top covering portion opposite said
connecting portion; and
each said connecting portion being disposed over the base sheet adhered to
one of said two parallel outer surfaces and overlying and fixed to one of
the tubular unit packing bodies, each of said separating means being
located between a respective pair of adjacent ones of said tubular unit
packing box bodies, and
said bottom covering portion provided to one side of the respective said
connecting portion being inclined thereto and covering the opening at said
other end of said one of the tubular unit packing box bodies, and the
marginal portion disposed to the side of said bottom covering portion that
covers said opening being disposed over the base sheet adhered to the
other of said two parallel outer surfaces and overlying and fixed to said
one of the tubular unit packing bodies.
2. A collective packing box as claimed in claim 1, wherein respective goods
are disposed within each of said tubular packing box bodies, said top
covering portion provided to one side of the respective said connecting
portion is inclined thereto and covers the opening at said one end of said
one of the tubular unit packing box bodies, and the marginal portion
disposed to the side of said top covering portion that covers said opening
is disposed over said base sheet adhered to the other of said two parallel
outer surfaces and overlies and is fixed to said one of the tubular
packing bodies.
3. A collective packing box comprising:
a group of tubular unit packing box bodies each having a plurality of sides
defining two opposite parallel outer surfaces, and each of the tubular
unit packing box bodies having an opening at one end thereof and an
opening at the other end thereof;
a base sheet adhered to one of said two parallel outer surfaces of the
tubular packing box bodies, and having separating means for facilitating
the separation of the base sheet into a plurality of sections;
a cover comprising a plurality of demarcating sections corresponding to the
number of the tubular packing box bodies in said group, and separating
means provided between adjacent ones of said demarcating sections for
facilitating separation of said demarcating sections from one another,
each of said demarcating sections defining a connecting portion at the
center thereof, a bottom covering portion provided to one side of the
connecting portion, a marginal portion disposed to the side of the bottom
covering portion opposite said connecting portion, a top covering portion
provided to the other side of the connecting portion, and a marginal
portion disposed to the side of the top covering portion opposite said
connecting portion; and
each said connecting portion being disposed over the base sheet adhered to
one of said two parallel outer surfaces and overlying and fixed to one of
the tubular unit packing bodies, each of said separating means being
located between a respective pair of adjacent ones of said tubular unit
packing box bodies, and
said bottom covering portion provided to one side of the respective said
connecting portion being inclined thereto and covering the opening at said
other end of said one of the tubular unit packing box bodies, and the
marginal portion disposed to the side of said bottom covering portion that
covers said opening being adhered to the other of said two parallel outer
surfaces.
4. A collective packing box as claimed in claim 3, wherein respective goods
are disposed within each of said tubular packing box bodies, said top
covering portion provided to one side of the respective said connecting
portion is inclined thereto and covers the opening at said one end of said
one of the tubular unit packing box bodies, and the marginal portion
disposed to the side of said top covering portion that covers said opening
is adhered to the other of said two parallel outer surfaces.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a collective packing box separable into
individual packing boxes having respective goods accommodated therein.
In industrial fields such as the automobile parts industry, the electric
machinery and implement industries, parts are usually packed in a packing
box which is partitioned into a dozen spaces for the parts, respectively,
and manufacturers ship the thus packed parts to the market.
Provided that some machines are manufactured by incorporating a specific
part therein, some manufacturers purchase such specific parts in large
quantities.
Since the specific parts to be supplied to users are packed in a temporary
packing box there is a disadvantage in that the packing box is liable to
be damaged or the parts are liable to fall out of the box.
Furthermore, although it is indispensable to the users for a specification
of parts, a trademark, or the model of the parts to appear on the packing
box for accommodating a dozen parts, such an identification of the parts
cannot be maintained with the parts when separated into individual parts.
It would be advantageous to maintain an identification of the parts with
individual ones of the parts since it is also a current tendency for
general consumers as well as for those in industry to purchase and consume
a small number of parts.
Incidentally, it is known that food and drink for one person is often
packed in an individual unit for purchase by students residing away from
home, people on travel, or people with a small family, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
collective packing box separable into individual packing boxes having one
unit of a product accommodated therein to meet the needs referred to
above.
To achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a group of
tubular unit packing box bodies having an even number of sides so as to
have a square or hexagonal cross section, for example, two of said sides
defining parallel opposite surfaces thereof, and a cover comprising
demarcating sections on a sheet corresponding to the number of unit
packing box bodies, separating means such as perforations formed between
the demarcating sections on the sheet, connecting portions corresponding
to the unit packing box bodies and provided substantially at the center of
the demarcating sections, bottom covering portions corresponding to
respective ones of the openings of the unit packing box bodies and defined
to one side of the connecting portions, marginal portions defined to the
outside of the bottom covering portions, top covering portions
corresponding to the respective other ones of the openings of the unit
packing box bodies and defined to the other side of the connecting
portions, and marginal portions defined to the outside the covering
portions,
wherein one of the opposite surfaces of each of the unit packing box bodies
is adhered to the connecting portions, the bottom covering portions of the
cover are bent toward the other respective ones of the openings of the
unit packing box bodies, and the marginal portions defined to the outside
of the bottom covering portions are adhered to the other of the opposite
surfaces of each of the unit packing box bodies.
The goods to be packed are accommodated in the unit packing boxes,
respectively, the top covering portions of the cover are bent to close the
respective other ones of the openings of the unit packing boxes and the
marginal portions defined to the outside of the top covering portions are
adhered to the other of the opposite surfaces of each of the unit packing
box bodies.
The present invention can also comprise a collective packing box body
composed of a group of tubular packing boxes having sides defining
parallel opposite surfaces thereof, the box bodies arranged in parallel
columns, a respective base sheet adhered to one or both of the opposite
surfaces of the group of unit packing box bodies, each base sheet provided
with separating means disposed between adjoining unit packing box bodies,
wherein a base sheet of the collective packing box body is adhered to the
connecting portions, the bottom covering portions of the cover are bent
toward respective ones of the openings of the unit packing boxes, and the
marginal portions defined to the outside of the bottom covering portions
are adhered to another base sheet of the collective packing box body or a
surface thereof.
The goods to be packed are accommodated in the unit packing boxes bodies,
respectively, the top covering portions of the cover are bent toward the
respective other ones of the openings of the unit packing boxes and the
marginal portions defined to the outside of the top covering portions are
adhered to the base sheet of the collective packing box body or a surface
thereof.
The collective packing box having the structure set forth above can be
separated into individual packing boxes accommodating the goods
individually therein by manually tearing off each unit of a cover covering
the periphery of a unit packing box along separating means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a partly cutaway perspective view of a first embodiment of a
collective packing box according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cover of the present invention;
FIGS. 3 to 5 are perspective views, respectively, of various unit packing
box bodies in the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover is combined
with the unit packing box bodies;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a collective packing
box according to the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover is combined
with the unit packing box bodies in the second embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modified version of the second
embodiment;
FIG. 10 is a partly cutaway perspective view of a third embodiment of a
collective packing box according to the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cover of the third embodiment;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a collective packing box body of the third
embodiment;
FIG. 13 is a plan view of the collective packing box body of FIG. 13;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a collective
packing box according to the present invention;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a cover of the fourth embodiment;
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a collective packing box body of the
fourth embodiment; and
FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a state in which the unit packing box
bodies are combined with the cover in the fourth embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.
In a group of unit packing box bodies 10, each of the box bodies 10
individually accommodates a unit of goods, for example, a piece of an
automobile spark plug. The unit packing box bodies 10 are connected in
parallel with each other continuously by a cover 12 so as to form a group
of unit back box bodies. The cover 12 is separable into demarcating
sections 20 respectively associated with each unit packing box body 10 so
that each unit packing box body 10 accommodating the goods therein can be
separated with one demarcating section 20 of the cover 12.
The unit of goods which can be packed in each box body 10 refers not only
to a piece of a part but also to small parts or items of food accommodated
in a small bag.
The first embodiment is capable of accommodating therein a plurality of
goods arranged laterally in one column.
Although five unit packing boxes 10 for accommodating five units of goods
are shown with respect to the first embodiment, the number of box bodies
is not limited thereto and can be varied depending on the commercial needs
of customers.
The present invention is fundamentally composed of tubular unit packing box
bodies 10 in combination with a cover 12 for covering the periphery of the
group of tubular unit packing box bodies 10.
Each unit packing box body 10 has, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a
rectangular tubular shape four corners of which are folded along
perforations and the upper and the lower ends of which define openings
denoted at 25.
Materials for forming the unit packing box bodies generally can include
craft paper, so-called milk-carton paper, cardboard or a sheet of
transparent or non-transparent plastic.
According to the first embodiment, since a group of unit packing box bodies
10 is intended to be foldable for reasons discussed later, the four
corners of each unit packing box body are provided with perforations 14
about which the box bodies can be bent with ease.
However, the perforations need not be provided if the group of packing
boxes is not intended to be foldable.
If the unit packing box body 10 is made of a hard plastic sheet, the group
of packing box bodies cannot be folded but the present invention still
satisfactorily solves the problems associated with the prior art.
The unit packing box body 10 shown in FIG. 3 comprises a paper sheet which
is folded in a square tubular shape and a sheet 16 adhered to one side of
the paper sheet.
The adhesion of the sheet 16 with paste to the paper sheet increases the
strength of the unit packing box body 10 and allows connecting portions 30
of the cover 12 to be adhered to the box bodies 10 with ease.
However, inasmuch as the unit packing box body 10 is not used as a separate
unit but is used with the cover 12 as described later, even if the sheet
16 is not adhered to the unit packing box body 10 the tubular unit packing
box body 10 can be used. Furthermore, both the process in which the sheet
16 is adhered with paste to the paper sheet and the material cost of the
sheet 16 can be respectively omitted which contributes to a reduction in
the manufacturing cost.
It is thus to be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the
sheet 16 is not essential to the invention.
Since the unit packing box body 10 has openings at upper and lower ends,
respectively, a group of such packing boxes does not have covered ends.
Hence, a means to complete the group of five independent unit packing box
bodies 10 is required.
Although each of the unit packing box bodies as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and
4 is square, the unit packing box is not limited to being square but may
have a honeycomb-shape (FIG. 5) or hexagonal cross section. The
honeycomb-shape is desirable depending on a particular shape of the goods
to be packed.
It is only necessary that the parallel opposed sides of the unit packing
box bodies function to provide surfaces along which paste can be applied
as explained later. Hence, the shape of the cross section of the unit
packing box body 10 is not essential to the invention.
It is also possible to form a unit packing box body by pasting a sheet 16
to both sides of the tubular body.
In order to realize the usefulness of the group 50 of packing boxes as a
collective packing box, the ability to separate the group 50 with ease is
required.
Consequently, a cover 12 as illustrated in FIG. 2 is provided according to
the first embodiment.
The cover 12 is commonly employed in the second and third embodiments as
described hereinafter.
The structure and function of the cover 12 will be explained briefly. The
cover 12 is provided with top covering portions 26 and bottom covering
portions 34 for closing the openings 25 at both ends of the unit packing
box bodies 10, connecting portions 30 for physically connecting five
independent unit packing box bodies 10, and separating means 18 for
separating the group of packing box bodies 10 into the individual small
boxes of each group.
More specifically, four separating means 18 are defined at predetermined
intervals on the square sheet made of a piece of paper or plastic,
corresponding to the number of unit packing box bodies 10, in order to
facilitate the separation of the cover 12 with ease into five demarcating
sections 20 disposed side to side.
Accordingly, five demarcating sections 20 are defined on the cover 12 by
the four separating means 18 and both ends of the cover 12.
The separating means 18, which are well known per se to those of ordinary
skill in the art, comprise slender notches having predetermined lengths
and linking portions provided between the notches.
Other applicable separating means include perforations or so-called jipper
notches having a C shape which are spaced a predetermined interval from
one another. Alternatively, the separating means may comprise a seal
member made of slender tape attached to adjoining demarcating sections
wherein the seal member can be pulled off at the time of use.
The width D of the demarcating section 20 to be partitioned by the
separating means 18 corresponds to a width d of the unit packing box 10.
However, the width D may be slightly greater than the width d of the unit
packing box body 10. If the width D is less than the width d, it is
difficult to separate the group into individual unit packing boxes. Hence,
it is preferable that the width D be substantially the same or slightly
greater than the width d.
In the unit packing box 10 having the honeycomb structure shown in FIG. 5,
the width d of a surface over which paste is applied is less than a
maximum width A of the unit packing box body 10, and the width D of the
connecting portion 30 of the cover 12 may correspond to the maximum width
A of the unit packing box body 10.
Marginal portions 22 of the cover 12 to which paste is applied, referring
to FIG. 1, are adhered to one end of surfaces at one side of the unit
packing box bodies 10, whereas marginal portions 38 are adhered to the
other end of said surfaces.
Covering portions 26, 34 constituting end covers for the unit packing box
bodies 10 are provided between folds 24, 28 and 32, 36 provided
perpendicularly to the separating means 18.
Accordingly, the shape and size of the covering portions 26, 34 preferably
correspond to the size of the openings 25 of the unit packing box bodies.
The connecting portions 30, extending between opposite covering portions
26, 34, for physically connecting five independent unit packing box bodies
correspond to the shape and size of the other sides of the unit packing
box bodies 10 (rear surfaces of the unit packing box bodies as illustrated
in FIGS. 3 to 5). These connecting portions 30 are defined between fold
lines 28, 32 provided perpendicular to the separating means 18.
These connecting portions 30 constitute, as evident with reference to FIG.
6, adhesive-receiving portions to which the other sides of the independent
unit packing box bodies 10 are adhered. Five connecting portions 30 and
five unit packing boxes are connected to each other in a collective state.
In the figures, the marginal portions 22 and 38 formed at both sides of the
cover 12 are substantially the same and are adhered to the same side of
the unit packing box bodies 10. Hence, the length of the marginal portions
22 (distance from the sides of the cover 12 to the fold lines 24 in FIG.
2) can be short and the length of the marginal portions 38 may be long as
long as the total of these lengths is substantially equal to the length of
said same side of each of the box bodies 10.
However, the function of the marginal portions 22, 38 is not affected at
all even if the lengths of the marginal portions 22, 38 are shorter than
the illustrated lengths.
The manner in which the above-described embodiments of the invention are
assembled will now be described.
One side or the other side of each of the unit packing box bodies 10 formed
independently is adhered to a respective one of the connecting portions 30
which are previously formed as respective parts of the demarcating
sections 20 of the cover 12.
In this respect, the adhesive may be applied to only the unit packing box
bodies 10 or to both the connecting portions 30 and the unit packing box
bodies 10.
FIGS. 1 and 6 illustrate embodiments in which the sheet 16 is adhered to
the sides of the box bodies 10 which are covered by the marginal portions
22, 38 , but the sheet 16 may be adhered to the other sides of the box
bodies which are covered by the connecting portions 30.
In the unit packing box bodies 10 as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 having no
sheet 16 adhered to respective one sides thereof, differing from the
embodiment of FIG. 3, it is sufficient to adhere the portions of the unit
packing box bodies 10 terminating at confronting edges to the connecting
portions 30.
At this time, if the unit packing box bodies 10 are provided with the
perforations 14 at the four or six corners thereof, the five unit packing
box bodies 10 can be bent into a flat configuration so that adhesive can
be applied to the connecting portions 30 and the unit packing box bodies
10 can be pressed against the connecting portions 30 while in a flat
configuration, which facilitates the production process.
Accordingly, the five unit packing box bodies 10 are connected to each
other so as to assume a collective state on the connecting portions 30 of
the cover 12.
To close the bottom ends of the unit packing box bodies 10, the cover 12 is
bent along the fold line 32, which is one boundary of the connecting
portions 30, so that respective ones of the openings 25 of the unit
packing box bodies 10 (the lower openings in FIGS. 3-6) are closed by the
covering portions 34 to define the bottoms of completed boxes.
Thereafter, the marginal portions 38 are bent toward the unit packing box
bodies 10 along the fold line 36 and the marginal portions 38 are adhered
to the sides, facing front in the figures, of the unit packing box bodies
10.
With the arrangement set forth above, a collective packing box 50 is
substantially completed according to the invention.
The manufacturers of the collecting packing box supply the collective
packing box as substantially completed to users who then pack the goods in
the unit packing box bodies 10. A more detailed explanation follows.
The goods to be packed are accommodated one by one in the unit packing box
bodies 10 and then the covering portions 26 of the cover 12 are bent
toward the unit packing box bodies 10 along the fold line 28 provided
adjacent the connecting portions 30.
Accordingly, the covering portions 26 close the respective other ones of
the openings 25 of the unit packing box bodies 10 (the upper openings in
FIGS. 3-6).
To prevent a release of the covering portions 26, the marginal portions 22
are bent toward the unit packing box bodies along the fold line 24 and are
adhered to the sides of the unit packing boxes 10 with adhesive (FIG. 1).
The assembly is thus completed also according to the present invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, there may be provided indicating portions 40
whereat a specification of the goods to be packed, a trademark, a model of
the goods etc. appear, as respective parts of the demarcating sections 20
of the cover 12 or as respective parts of the unit packing box bodies 10.
By providing the indicating portions 40, even if the collective packing box
50 is separated into individual boxes, there is an advantage that the
customers can confirm the specification, etc. of the goods packed within
each box with certainty.
Although the specification of the goods appears at the outside of the
collective packing box 50 which collectively accommodates the goods, there
is no likelihood that the specification will be made indistinct when the
box is separated into units.
It is also contemplated to enclose the specification describing the details
of the goods in each unit of the collective packing box 50.
It is also thus contemplated to provide notched portions 52 in the covering
portions 26 of the cover 12 so that the goods 48 packed can be seen
through openings defined by such notched portions 52 or transparent sheets
attached to the notched portions (refer to FIG. 9 showing such features in
association with a second embodiment of the invention).
The second embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9.
This embodiment is substantially similar to the first embodiment but is
provided with two groups of unit packing box bodies disposed in parallel.
First, inasmuch as the structures of the unit packing box bodies 10 are
substantially the same as those of the unit packing box bodies 10 in the
first embodiment, a detailed explanation thereof is omitted for the sake
of brevity.
Regarding the cover 42, since there is a substantial similarity between the
structure of the cover 42 and the structure of the cover 12 of the first
embodiment, a detailed explanation of the portions common to the cover 12
of the first embodiment and the cover 42 of the second embodiment is
omitted and like parts are designated with like reference numerals.
Briefly, the cover 42 of this embodiment corresponds to two covers 12 of
the first embodiment (refer to FIG. 8).
In the cover 42 of this embodiment, the connecting portions 30 of the two
centrally located demarcating sections 20 are separated by a fold line 44.
In other words, the cover 42 can be likened to connecting portion 30 at an
end of a cover 12 of the first embodiment being connected to the
connecting portion 30 at an end of another cover 12.
Thus, between the centrally located demarcating sections 20 there is not
provided a separating means 18 of the first embodiment. Rather, slits 46
are provided for facilitating the separation of the unit packing boxes 10
at the centrally locating demarcating sections 20.
As is evident from the drawings, the unit packing box bodies 10 are adhered
to the connecting portions 30 of the cover 42.
Adhesive is applied to ten connecting portions 30 formed as part of the
demarcating sections 20 of the cover 42. Then, one side of the ten unit
packing boxes 10 which are manufactured independently are adhered to the
ten connecting portions 30.
It will be of course understood very easily that the adhesive can be
applied to only the unit packing box bodies 10 or to both the connecting
portions 30 and the unit packing box bodies 10.
In FIG. 8, the unit packing box bodies 10 have a sheet 16 adhered to the
surface thereof at which surface side edges of the box bodies 10 confront,
and which sheet 16 is adhered to the connecting portions 30.
It is of course possible to adhere the other sides of the box bodies 10,
opposite to the sides having the sheet 16 adhered thereto, to the
connecting portions 30.
Further, unit packing box bodies 10 as shown in FIG. 4 and 5 may be
employed and the sheet 16 is omitted, whereby both portions of each of the
unit packing box bodies 10 having the confronting side edges are adhered
to the connecting portions 30.
If the unit packing box bodies 10 have the perforations 14 at four or five
corners thereof, the ten unit packing box bodies 10 can be bent into a
flat configuration so that adhesive can be applied to the connecting
portions 30 and the unit packing box bodies 10 can be pressed in a flat
configuration and adhered to the connecting portions 30, which contributes
to the ease of the production process.
Hence, the groups of the ten packing box bodies 10 assume a collective
state on the connection portions 30 of the cover 42 in which the boxes 10
are connected to each other (FIG. 8).
To close the bottom ends of the unit packing boxes, the cover 42 is bent
along the fold line 32, provided at the boundaries between the connecting
portions 30 and the covering portions 34, to close respective ones of the
openings 25 of the unit packing boxes 10 (the lower openings in the
figures) thereby constituting the bottoms of the completed boxes.
Then, the marginal portions 38 are bent toward the unit packing box bodies
10 along the fold line 36 provided at the boundaries between the covering
portions 34 and the marginal portions 38, so that the marginal portions 38
can be adhered to the lower portions of the sides of the box bodies 10 as
shown in the figures.
With the arrangement set forth above, a collective packing box 60 is
substantially completed according to the present invention.
The packing box manufacturers supply the packing box as substantially
completed to users who then pack the goods 48 (refer to FIG. 9) in each
unit packing box body 10.
The cover 42 is bent along the fold line 44 between the upper and the lower
sets of slits 46 such that two sections of the cover 42 are bent toward
one another at the side thereof opposite the unit packing box bodies 10.
Thus, a collective packing box is formed of five unit packing box bodies 10
connected to another five unit packing box bodies 10 at an outer side of
the two sections of the cover 42.
Although the two sections of the cover 42 are brought into contact with
each other at an inner side of the cover 42, the sections are maintained
in a free state not adhered to one another with adhesive.
If the two sections of the cover 42 are adhered, the unit packing box
bodies cannot be individually separated.
Each good 48 to be packed is accommodated in a respective one of the ten
unit packing box bodies 10 disposed at both sides of the two sections of
the folded cover 42. The covering portions 26 of the cover 42 are bent
toward the unit packing box bodies 10 along the fold line 28 provided at
the boundaries adjoining the connecting portions 30.
The covering portions 26 close the other openings 25 of the unit packing
box bodies 10 (upper openings in the figures) thereby constituting tops.
To prevent a release of the covering portions 26, the marginal portions 22
are bent toward the unit packing boxes along the fold line 24 and are
adhered to the respective one of the sides of the unit packing box bodies
10 with adhesive. (FIG. 7).
Although the provision of the slits 46 at both sides of the cover 42 was
already explained previously, it will be understood that each of two
sections of the marginal portions 22, the covering portions 26, the
covering portions 34, and the marginal portions 38 can be bent
individually in different directions due to the separation thereof by
slits 46.
The assembly is thus completed also according to the present invention.
The advantages of this embodiment resides in that the packing boxes are
arranged in parallel in two columns. The likelihood of the groups of
packing boxes in each column unfolding into one column along the fold line
44 is prevented by both groups of packing boxes being temporarily fastened
with a rubber band or an adhesive tape. The rubber band or the adhesive
tape are removable so that the packing box bodies can be separated into
units with ease.
As in the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, indicating portions,
whereat a specification of the goods 48 to be packed, a trademark or a
model of the goods appear, are provided as respective parts of the
demarcating sections 20 of the cover 42 or respective parts of the unit
packing box bodies 10. It is also contemplated that the specification
describing the details of the goods be enclosed in each unit of the unit
packing boxes.
Also, as in the first embodiment, notched portions 52 may be provided by
notching parts of the covering portions 26 of the cover 42 so that the
goods 48 can be seen through openings defined by the notching portions 52
or through transparent sheets attached to the notched portions.
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail
with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13.
The embodiment is a combination of the cover 12 and a collective packing
box body 13 in which a plurality of the unit packing box bodies 10 assume
a collective state.
The cover 12 has the same structure as that of the first embodiment set
forth hereinabove.
The unit packing box bodies 10 constituting the collecting packing box body
13 have the same structure as those of the first embodiment.
Accordingly, the detailed description of the cover 12 and the unit packing
box bodies 10 made with respect to the first embodiment is applicable to
the third embodiment and is thus omitted here.
The collecting packing box body 13 comprises five unit packing box bodies
10 each having surfaces for receiving paste at opposed sides thereof and
perforations 14 at four corners, base sheets 11 adhered to the boxes, and
separating means 19 such as perforations along demarcating lines of the
sheets 11. The separating means 19 are disposed between adjacent unit
packing box bodies 10.
Each of the separating means 19 provided at the base sheets 11 at both
sides of the group of unit packing box bodies 10 is intended to be
associated with a respective one of the unit packing box bodies 10.
The unit packing box bodies 10 as illustrated in FIG. 12 are connected as
spaced apart by slight intervals therebetween which is advantageous to
create a shock absorbing characteristic of the collective packing box body
13 when the goods to be packed are accommodated in each unit packing box
body 10. It is, however, to be understood that such intervals need not
necessarily be provided in the present invention.
The manner in which the collective packing box body 13 is assembled with
the cover 12 will now be described.
One side of the collective packing box body 13 is adhered to connecting
portions 30 of the cover 12.
In this case, each unit packing box body 10 constituting each component of
the collective packing box body 13 is associated with a respective
connecting portion 30 of the cover 12.
Thereafter, the covering portions 34 of the cover 12 are bent toward
respective ones of the openings 25 of the unit packing box bodies 10, and
the marginal portions 38 are adhered to one side of a base sheet 11 which
is adhered to the outside of the unit packing box bodies 10.
Each of the goods to be packed 48 is accommodated within a respective unit
packing box body 10 and the covering portions 26 of the cover 12 are bent
toward the other respective ones of the openings 25 of the unit packing
box bodies 10, and the marginal portions 22 are adhered to the other side
of the base sheet 11 of the collective packing box body 13.
As in the first embodiment, indicating portions whereat the specification
of the goods to be packed 48 appear can be provided.
A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 17.
The fourth embodiment is substantially the same as the third embodiment.
The cover 12 is substantially the same as those of the first and third
embodiments and the structure of the unit packing box bodies 10 is the
same as that of the first embodiment (refer to FIG. 4).
With respect to the fourth embodiment, inasmuch as the structure of a
collecting packing box body 15 is similar to that of the collective
packing box body 13 of the third embodiment, a detailed description
thereof will be omitted.
Although base sheets 11 are respectively adhered to opposite sides of the
unit packing box bodies 10 according to the collecting packing box body 13
of the third embodiment, only one base sheet 11 is adhered to one side of
the unit packing box bodies 10 disposed in parallel as illustrated in FIG.
16 and 17 of this embodiment.
More specifically, the base sheet 11 is adhered to the sides of the unit
packing box bodies 10 which define confronting edges of each of the boxes
10, respectively. The other sides of the unit packing box bodies 10 do not
have a sheet 11 adhered thereto.
The base sheet 11 of course has separating means 19 as in the third
embodiment.
The manner in which the cover 12 is assembled with the collective packing
box body 15 will now be described.
The sides which do not have the base sheet 11 adhered thereto are adhered
to the connecting portions 30 of the cover 12.
The covering portions 34 of the cover 12 are bent toward respective ones of
the openings 25 of the unit packing box bodies 10, and the marginal
portions 38 are adhered to the base sheet 11 of the collective packing box
body 15 in the same way as in the other embodiments.
The goods to be packed are each accommodated within a respective unit
packing box body 10 constituting the collective packing box body 15, the
covering portions 26 of the cover 12 are bent toward the respective other
ones of the openings 26 of the unit packing box bodies 10, and the
marginal portions 22 are adhered to the base sheet 11.
Of course, as in the other embodiments, indicating portions 40 may be
provided.
The embodiments of the present invention provide the following advantages.
When supplying like goods to users, each to be packed in one of many
packing boxes, it was necessary that the goods be packed temporarily in
newspaper or other secondary packing material since it is generally
unknown to the supplier how many of the goods supplied will be packed by
the user.
On the other hand, since it is possible to separate the collective packing
box into individual units along the separating means according to the
prevent invention, it is suitable to pack the goods in each unit without
the need for secondary packing material.
The present invention has been described with respect to preferred
embodiments thereof. However, various changes and modifications will
become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such changes and
modification are thus seen to constitute the true spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
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